3. Poppy von Frohlich (PvF)
Founder: Trudy HodgesYear Launched: 2012
Factory Location: San Francisco, CA
How It Started: Fashion designer Trudy Hodges became her own boss after giving birth to a daughter nine months ago. Now, she operates PvF from her home studio with the help of local factories in San Francisco, where she designs, pattern drafts, and sews items like whimsical wool coats with reindeer accents or bohemian cotton crochet dresses. Customers have to act fast to get one of her limited-edition designs ($95-$483 currently): She creates a new item every six weeks and often makes only one in each size.
